81315902-Increasing SME's competitiveness through innovation and strategic collaboration in Jordan

The assignment aims at enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan's growth sectors. The tendering project, Innovative Private Sector Development Approaches for Employment Promotion (I-PSD), focuses on fostering innovation, improving competitiveness, and creating high-quality employment opportunities.

The contractor's role is crucial in implementing two key project outputs, the output on SME growth and innovation uptake at firm level and the project output on the innovation ecosystem development and capacity development of intermediaries. The primary objective is to enhance SMEs' competitiveness by fostering innovation readiness and adoption through strengthened capacities, improved access to knowhow, investment, and a more collaborative ecosystem. The target groups include 400 SMEs in high-growth potential sectors, ecosystem actors, and cooperation partners.

The assignment is structured into four work packages (WPs).

WP 1 focuses on coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation. It involves establishing operational structures, developing methodological frameworks, and conducting assessments to guide implementation. The contractor will design SME innovation pathways, develop selection tools and processes, and create a cooperation framework for future activities.

WP 2 aims to raise awareness and foster a culture of innovation within Jordan's ecosystem. It features a modular program to share knowledge about innovation, emphasizing inclusivity and engaging women-led businesses and persons with disabilities. The program includes online modules, on-site campaigns, and immersive visits to successful Jordanian SMEs. An innovation and learning cycle will be implemented to support knowledge transfer and develop high-value knowledge products.

WP 3 focuses on targeted capacity development to enhance innovation know-how and adoption at the firm level across four high-growth sectors: food processing, creative industries, chemical products, and engineering products. It strengthens firm-level innovation capabilities through sector-specific advisory services, specialized training, and coaching on product, process, and business model innovation. This includes e.g. international advisory services on product sophistication in gaming, organic product development in personal care products, and the implementation of new quality management systems for food safety and traceability in food processing. A comprehensive sector analysis has been conducted, with ongoing assessment of capacity and innovation gaps in the prioritized sectors and sub-sectors before the contract start. Additionally, WP 3 supports the implementation of successful innovation concepts by providing innovation vouchers.

WP 4 focuses on fostering cooperation and sustainability in the innovation ecosystem. It aims to connect key stakeholders to address innovation challenges collectively. The contractor will implement 30 cooperation projects guided by five cooperation models, including those focusing on inclusion, digital solutions, contract research, sectoral open innovation, and packaging innovation. The contractor will also provide support to enhance the sustainability and scalability of services offered by key organizations in the ecosystem.

Throughout the assignment, the contractor is expected to work closely with GIZ teams, ensuring effective coordination and alignment with the overall I-PSD objectives. The assignment emphasizes sustainability, scalability and inclusivity of innovation-driven SME development. It actively engages women-led and women-owned businesses, persons with disabilities, and SMEs located outside Amman. It also incorporates flexibility to accommodate varying levels of SME readiness and to address emerging needs in the innovation ecosystem. It emphasizes the importance of agile programming and knowledge transfer, ensuring that lessons learned and best practices are shared widely within the Jordanian ecosystem.